Have A Meaningful Fast and Chag Sameach!

Don't forget to submit an entry to the Second Annual Star of Davida Essay Contest!

Today is Ta'anit Esther, the fast day commemorating the biblical Queen Esther's three days of fasting before approaching King Ahasuerus. Purim, the holiday celebrating the Jews’ survival of an attempted genocidal plot in ancient Persia, will be on Sunday. There are a number of strong women in the Purim story, notably Queen Esther, the Jewish woman who saved her people.

Some cool Purim articles to read:

The Polish Queen Esther - this article, which discusses an eerily similar situation in medieval Poland to the Purim story, is absolutely fascinating.

Another Feminist Purim Spiel - for those of you who have been following me for a while, this article appeared on the Ms. magazine blog.

Ta'anit Esther is International Agunah Day - a video narrated by Dr. Rachel Levmore, Rabbinical Court Advocate, to keep yourself aware that agunah (a husband denying his wife a Jewish divorce), unfortunately, still exists.

Help Agunah on Ta’anit Esther - a post I published to commemorate International Agunah Advocacy Day.

Rosh Hodesh Adar II - another article I wrote that talks about Adar, the Jewish month that Purim happens in, and a lot of weird correlations it has to my family.

Lilith's Purim page - more links to articles about Purim and women.

Artwork above made by yours truly!